Four World War Two veterans attended an afternoon tea at the Mayor’s invitation to thank them for their participation in an oral history project.
The Hillingdon veterans, from each of the armed services and now in their 90s, sat with the council’s Local Studies, Archives and Museum Service for a number of sessions to retell their experiences so that these can be recorded and preserved.
Among the many medals proudly displayed was the highest honour awarded by the French Government, the Légion d'Honneur. Myer Malin, (Royal Artillery), Patrick Manion (Royal Navy) and Walter Hart (Royal Army Medical Corps). Arthur Preston (RAF) served in the Far East campaign and holds the Burma Star.
The Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr John Hensley, said: “I feel like I am walking in the footsteps of giants.
“I would like to thank them all for taking part in this project.
“By recording the veterans’ wartime experiences, the council is ensuring that their stories of historical importance are not lost and can be listened to by future generations.”
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